Quick Facts
Biography
Benjamin Hall, FRS (29 September 1778 – 31 July 1817) was an industrialist and a prominent figure in South Wales.
Background, education and connections
Hall, who was educated at Westminster School and Christ Church, Oxford and was admitted to the bar in Lincoln's Inn in 1801. In December of that year he married Charlotte the daughter of Ironmaster Richard Crawshay, becoming a partner in the Cyfarthfa Ironworks and owner of Hensol Castle and the Abercarn estate.
Member of Parliament
He was the first great industrialist to enter Parliament serving as MP for Totnes from 1806 to 1812, for Westbury from 1812 to 1814, and for Glamorganshire from then until his death. As soon as he was elected MP for Glamorgan he was admitted a Freemason and promoted to Provincial Grand Master of South Wales.
Family & Heir
His son was Benjamin Hall, 1st Baron Llanover, a civil engineer and politician who as Commissioner of Works was notable for the construction of the Clock Tower of the Palace of Westminster. Some hold that the famous bell is accordingly known as 'Big Ben'. Benjamin Hall the younger married Augusta Waddington of Llanover.